Machine for and method of embedding reenforcing wire in wax beehive foundations



c F. MUTH 1,849,331 MACHINE FOR AND METHOD OF EMBEDDING REENFORCING March 15, 1932.

WIRE IN WAX BEEHIVE FOUNDATIONS Filed April 25,, 1930 3 Sheets Sheet ll lHHJmmmH... "Ilium.

qwi f/vmoo March 15, 1932. c F MUTH 1,849,331

MACHINE FOR AND METHOD OF EMBEDDING REENFORCING WIRE IN WAX BEEHIVE FOUNDATIONS Filed April 25, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 =1 0' W w. n 1

Patented Mar. 15, 1932 {UNITED STATES.

PATENT. OFFICE i CLIFFORD F. MUTE, OF CINCINN ATI, OHIO MACHINE FOR AND METHOD OF EMBEDDING REENFORCTNG WIRE IN BEEHIVE FOUNDATIONS Application filed April 25,

vide a novel machine for embedding the reenforcing wire in the foundation sheets, in an expeditious manner.

Another object of the invention is to pro- Vide a novel method of embedding the reenforcing wire in the sheets, whether such method be carried out by the machine herein disclosed, or otherwise.

With the foregoing in view, the invention resides in the novel subject matter hereinafter described and claimed, description being accomplished by reference to the accompanying drawings.

while such construction will be herein specifically explained, it is to be understood that within the scope of the invention as claimed, numerous variations may be made.

The numerals 8 denote legs supporting longitudinal bars 9 upon which a table top 11 is mounted, said table top embodying a-platen portion 12 and a gap 13 at one transverse edge of said portion 12. Mounted in this gap for movement longitudinally of the table 11, is a bar 14 which is provided with a plu' rality of rigid hooks 15. Similar, hooks 16 are secured to the table llnear the opposite edge of the platen portion 12 and both edges of this portion are provided with ,upstand ing ridges17 which extend transversely of- 1930. Serial No. 447,261,

the table, said ridges being preferably formed from insulating rods inlaidin the platen portion 12. Secured to the table 11 at opposite ends of the row of hooks 16, are two clamps 18 and 19, the latter embodying a suitable wire cutter 20. Under the clamp 19, suitable provision 21 is made for supporting a reel 22 of fine wire 23. It is in tended that a length of this wire shall be unreeled after passage through the wire guide 24 and shall have its free end secured by the clamp 18. The reach of wire is then zigzagged over the platen 12,'the bight portions 25 at the ends of the wire reaches 26, being engaged with the hooks and 16, and said reaches being disposed upon the ridges 17. The wire is then held by the clamp 19 and the bar 14 is shifted outwardly to stretch the reaches of wire, the'bar14being outwardly moved and held by means hereinafter described. After so stretching the wire reaches, an electric current is passed'through the zig zag length of wire to heat it, so that by placing a wax foundation sheet S upon the heated wire reaches, and depressing said sheet, the wires will melt their way into the sheet, finally becoming embedded therein as indicated in Figs. 4 and 5. The provision for directing current through the wire for a t a proper interval of time, will be hereinafter described.

After embedding of the wire reaches in the foundation sheet S, bar 14 is inwardly moved and the bight portions of the reenforcement are removed from the hooks 15 and 16, allowing lifting of the reenforced foundation sheet from the platen 12. Then, the bight portions 25 are preferably trimmed off along-opposite edges of the sheet, and this trimming may be effected by'a suitable shear 27'mountedat one end of the table11.

The ends of the bar 14are mountedin appropriate guides2 8 and'the lower-side of said bar is provided with two racks 29mesh- 7 ing with pinions SOon a tlil-QSVBISQ shaft 31 supported in bearings carried by the bars 9. On one end of shaft 31, is a large sprocket wheel 32 which is connected by a chain 33 with" a small sprocket 34 on'another transverse shaft 35. The shaft 3 5 is provided with appropriate means 36 whereby it may be rotated, 2

thereby forcibly driving the shaft 31 for the purpose of causing the pinions 30 and racks 29 to move the bar 14 outwardly to stretch the wire reaches 26. The end of shaft 31 remote from sprocket 32, is provided with a ratchet wheel 37 c-o-operable with a springapplied dog 38 for holding the shaft against retrograde movement when bar 14 has been moved outwardly to the desired extent. Turning of shaft 31 in a direction to stretch the wire reaches 26, tensions a spring 39 (Figs. 1 and 4) wrapping it partially about the hub of the sprocket 32, so that this spring may later be relied upon to turn shaft 31 in a direction to move bar 14 inwardly. A foot pedal'40 is connected by a wire or the like 41 with the dog 38 for releasing the latter when desired. Hence, as soon as the wire reaches 26 have been embedded in a foundation sheet, depression of the foot pedal 40 will release the dog 38 and spring 39 will function to inwardly move bar 14. Hence, upon operation of the cutter 20 to sever the zigzag length of wire from the remainder of the latter, the bight portions of said zig-Zag length may be removed from the hooks 15 and 16, it being also of course necessary to release the clamp 18.

Current-conducting wires 41 and 42 are shown connected with the wire clamps 18 and 19 respectively, said conductors leading from them to the required extent to allow them to melt their way into a wax foundation sheet, and when they have been thus properly heated, the time switch again opens the circuit so that extensive melting of the sheet cannot take place.

For depressing any sheet S after it .has beenplaced upon the tight wire reaches 26, I provide a suitable pressing member 47 which is hinged at 48 and provided with a suitable handle 49, a spring 50 being employed to hold said member 47 normally raised and to assistin again raising said memher after it has been lowered.

7 By preference, the number 47 embodies a glass plate 51 having a covering 52 of sponge rubber, said covering being adapted to contact with the foundation sheet S and to press against the latter without any dangerof injuring it. a i

In operation ofthe machine, a length of wire is unreeled from the reel 22, is clamped by the clamp 18, is zig-zag into engagement with the hooks 15 and 16,, and is fastened by the clamp19. Then, the handle 36 is operated to effect outward movement of bar 14,'causing tight stretchingof the wire reaches 26 and holding of them snugly upon the ridges 17.

bein that the current flow throu 'h'the zi C) D D zag length of wire, warms the latter, causing its reaches 26 to melt their way into the wax sheet S and causing the Wax to run around said reaches to anchor them. WV hen the wire has reached the necessary temperature, the time switch 43 again opens the circuit so that excessive melting of the wax cannot take place. Now, by depressing pedal 40, dog 38 is released and spring 39 will inwardly move the bar 14. l/Vire cutter 20 is then operated and the wire clamping means 18 is loosened, whereupon the wired foundation sheet may be disengaged from the machine. Now, the bight portions 25 of the reenforcement and the free ends of the wire are preferably trimmed off by the shear 27. lVhen clamp 19 is now loosened, another reach of the wire 23 may be unreeled for positioning in the same manner as above described. 1 t will be noted on reference to Fig. 4 that the glass rods or other insulating ridges 17 have their upper surfaces disposed above the surface of the platen adistance corresponding to one-half of the thickness of the sheet of foundation and when the wires are heated and the pressing member 47 moved downwardly, the sheet of foundation will be forced against the wires until its bottom surface rests on the platen, the cushioning face-52 of the pressing member preventing-injury to the upper surface of the foundation. The time controlled switch is of course set to heat the wires to the proper degree. In practice, I have obtained satisfactory results by setting down the usual 110 volt current to 25 volts and setting the time controlled switch to maintain the current for about five seconds, but of course the strength of the current and time interval may be varied.

Attention is invited to the fact that the reaches 26 may extend in anydesired direction. In Fig. 1, the arrangement of the hooks 15 and 16 is such that said reaches are all oblique to the length of the foundation sheet, whereas in Fig. 7 showing a different arrangement of the hooks, the reaches 26 will all'be at about right angles to thelength of said sheet.

Insofar as I am advised, I am'the first to heat the wire reenforcernent by passing an electric current through it, then relatively moving the reenforcement and foundation marily for illustrative purposes and that the invention as claimed comprehends numerous variations.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine for embedding reenforcing wire in beehive comb foundations, comprising means for holding a plurality of reaches of wire in stretched condition, means for heating the reaches whereby said reaches will melt their way into a comb foundation when the latter is placed against the reaches, means for relatively moving said comb foundation and the heated wire reaches to expedite embedding of the latter in the former, and means for limiting the relative movement of said comb foundation and reaches to prevent passage of the latter entirely through the comb foundation. v

2. A machine for embedding reenforcing wire in beehive comb foundations, comprising two relatively movable supports, one of said supports having means for holding one end of a plurality of wire reaches, the other of said supports having means for holding the other ends of said reaches, means for relatively moving said supports to stretch said reaches, and means for heating said reaches,

whereby they will melt their way into a comb foundation when the latter is placedagainst the reaches.

' 3. A machine for embedding reenforcing wire in beehive comb foundations, comprising two relatively movable supports, one of said supports havinghooks for holding alternate bight portions of a Zig-zag wire length, the other of said supports having hooks for holding the intervening bight portions of the zig-zag wire length, securing means for the ends of said wire lengths, means for relatively moving said supports to stretch the reaches of wire, and means for heating the reaches'whereby said reaches will melt their way into a comb foundation when the latter is placed against the former.

4. A machine for embedding reenforcing wire in wax beehive comb foundations, comprising means for holding a plurality of reaches of wire in stretched condition, electrical conducting means adapted for connection with the wire to heat the reaches thereof, allowing sait reaches to melt their way into a comb foundation when the latter is placed against the former, means for relatively moving the comb foundation and the heated wire reaches to expedite embedding of the latter in the former, and means for limiting the relative movement of said comb foundation and reaches to prevent passage of the latter entirely through the comb foundation.

5. A machine for embedding r-eenforcing wire in beehivecomb foundations, comprising two relatively movable supports, one of said supports having hooks for holding alternate bight portions of a zig-zag wire length, the other support having hooks for holding the intervening bight portions of said zig-' zag wire length, means for holding theends of the wire length, means for relatively moving said supports to stretch the wire reaches, and electrical conducting means for placing the wire length in an electric circuit to heat said reaches, whereby said reaches will melt their way into a'comb foundation when the latter is placedagainst said reaches.

6. A machine for embedding reenforcing wire in wax beehive comb foundations, comprising a table embodying a platen having ridges along two opposite edges, a row of hooks s ac-ed horizontall outward from one of said ridges, a bar mounted for horizontal and having a row of hooks, said'rows of hooks being adapted to engage the bight portions of a zig-za'g length ofwire with its reaches lying upon said ridges, clamps for holding the ends ofthe wire length, means for 'moving said bar to stretch said reaches, conducting means connected with said clamps for placing the wire length in an electric circuit to heat the'wire, and a pressing member hinged to the table for pressing a wax comb foundation against the heated wire onto the platen.

7 In a machine of the character set forth,

a table including a platen, two rows of hooks associated with the platen, a slidable bar on one slde of the table carrylng one of said rows of hooks, a-string-actuated, rotatable shaft mounted on the'table, manually actu ated means for rotating the shaft to place its actuating spring under tension, pawl and ratchet means for holding the shaft with its actuating spring under tension, manuallyac= tuated means for releasing the pawl and ratchet means, and means actuated by said shaft for sliding said bar. i

8.- In a machine of the character set forth, a platen, means for attaching and holding a zig-zag length of wire with its reaches spaced a predetermined distance above the platen, a

pressing member to press a comb foundationsheet'agalnst said wire and platen, and a cushioning surface on said pressing member to engage the comb foundationsheet.

9. In a machine of the character set forth, a table including a platen,fia row of hooks along one side of said platen, a'wire clamp at each end of said row of hooks,.a wireicutter associated'with one of said clamps, a tubular wire gulde ad]acentthe last named clamp,

movement toward and from the other ridge I av platen, spaced ridges associated therewith and having their upper edges spaced above the platen a distance corresponding substantially to one-half of the thickness of the comb foundation sheet, means for stretching and holding a zig-zag length of wire above the platen with its reaches supported on said ridges, and a pressing member for moving a sheet of comb foundation against said wire and platen.

11. In a machine of the character set forth, a platen, spaced ridges associated therewith and having their upper edges spaced above the platen a distance corresponding substantially to one-half of the thickness of the comb foundation sheet means for stretchin and holding a zig-Zag length of wire above the i a zlg-zag wire with'its reaches spaced a predetermined distance above the platen, an electric circuit including a time-controlled switch and conductors for electrical connection to the ends of said wire length, and a pressing member for moving a sheet of comb foundation against said wire and platen.

13. The method of producing a wire reenforced beehive comb foundation, comprising the steps of stretching a wire in zig-Zag form, heating the wire, relatively moving the comb foundation and-heated Wire to cause the latter to melt its way into the former and trimming off the bight portions of the wire, thereby preparing the reenforced foundation for subsequent mounting in a frame.

14. A machine for embedding reenforcing wire in beehive comb foundations, comprising a table embodying a platen having ridges along two opposite edges, two rows of hooks spaced horizontally outward from said ridges respectively, said rows of hooks being adapted to engage the bight portions of a zig-zag length of wire with its reaches lying upon said ridges, means for heating said wire reaches, and means for relatively moving said two rows of hooks to tighten said wire reaches between said ridges.

15. In a machine of the character set forth,

a table including a platen, two rows of hooks associated with said platen, a slidable member niounted'on the table and carrying one of said rows of hooks, a spring-actuated rotatable shaft mounted on the table, manually actuated :means for rotating the shaft to place its actuating spring under, tension, means for holding the shaft with its actuating spring under tension, said holding means being manually releasable, and means actuated by said shaft for moving said hook-carryingmember.

1,6; Ina machine, ofthe character set forth,

wire length, and a wire cutter mounted be -V tween said second clamp and said holding means or severing the zigzag length of wire from the reel-carrled wire after said zlg-zag length has been embedded in a comb founda tion.

18. In a machine of the character set forth,

a platen, spaced ridges in the immediate vicinity of said platen and havingtheir upper edges spaced above the platen a distance corresponding substantially to one-half the thickness of a comb foundation sheet, and means for holding a Zig-zag length of wire above the platen with its reaches stretched and resting upon the upper edges of said ridges.

19. In a machine of the character set forth, means for holding the reaches of a zig-zag length of wire in stretched condition. in readiness for embedding in a comb foundation, and an electric circuit including a time-controlled switch and conductors for electrical connection to the ends of said wire length, for the purpose of heating the same.

In testimony wh-ereof'I ailix my signature.

CLIFFORD F. MUTH. 

